Sunlit Beginnings: What Is Solar-Powered Irrigation? Solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) merge photovoltaic systems with modern agricultural technology to deliver water efficiently to crops without relying on fossil fuels. These systems use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, driving water pumps to feed drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, or surface irrigation setups. SPIS are finding particular…
In the Shadow of the Sun: Understanding Solar Supply Chain Risks and Resilience The global solar industry, a cornerstone of the renewable energy transition, faces mounting supply chain vulnerabilities that threaten its growth trajectory. From raw materials shortages to geopolitical risks, the challenges to solar panel manufacturing and photovoltaic cell production are complex and interconnected….
Spark-Free Starts – The Introduction As rooftop solar adoption accelerates worldwide, safety professionals and installers are placing fire prevention at the forefront of photovoltaic system safety. While the risk of a rooftop solar panel fire remains statistically low, incidents linked to electrical faults have underscored the need for comprehensive fire safety standards, robust design protocols,…
Sunshine Dollars Primer Solar project financial modeling provides the blueprint for determining whether a photovoltaic system or solar farm development will deliver competitive returns. By mapping out capital expenditures (solar CAPEX), operational costs (solar OPEX), energy yield, revenue streams, and financing structures, investors can forecast how well a project will perform over its entire lifecycle….
Dive Right In: The Quick Start to Floating Solar Floating solar panels—also called floatovoltaics—are a breakthrough in aquatic solar energy, enabling high-output photovoltaic systems on reservoirs, lakes, and other calm water bodies. By installing PV modules on buoyant solar pontoons, users can unlock new generation capacity without consuming valuable land space. Coupled with improved efficiency…
Shining a Light on Solar System Security As solar power plants, photovoltaic systems, and energy storage facilities become increasingly connected to smart grids and internet-enabled monitoring platforms, the need for a robust cybersecurity framework has moved from optional to essential. Today’s renewable energy infrastructure incorporates smart inverters, SCADA systems, and a suite of IoT devices—each…
Shining a Light: Your Quick Guide to Solar Panel End-of-Life Recycling As solar installations multiply across rooftops and landscapes, addressing what happens at the end of a panel’s service life has become an essential part of renewable energy sustainability. Solar panel recycling ensures valuable components such as silicon wafers, glass, aluminum frames, copper, and even…
Sunny Side Up: Instant Clarity on Community Solar Community solar—also referred to as shared solar or a solar garden—offers a way to enjoy the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy without installing panels on your roof. Participants buy or lease a share in an off-site photovoltaic (PV) system, often called a solar farm, and…
Shining a Light: Quick Answer on Solar Lifecycle Embodied Carbon Embodied carbon in solar panels refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions created during the production, transportation, and installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system, excluding operational emissions once the system is generating electricity. According to a solar lifecycle assessment, these emissions stem mainly from energy-intensive…
A Bright Field of Opportunity In the quest to balance growing energy demands with the preservation of productive farmland, agrivoltaics emerges as a transformative solution. By integrating photovoltaic systems directly into working farms, this dual-use solar farming method allows land to simultaneously produce crops and generate renewable energy. Elevated solar panels or solar canopy systems…